Simplifying STEM [6-12]

Dr. Christa Jackson, a former elementary and middle school mathematics and science teacher, is a Professor of Mathematics, Science, and STEM Education at Saint Louis University. She is the Founder and Director of the Institute for STEM Collaboration, Outreach, Research, and Education (iSCORE), where she focuses on transforming the STEM community one mind at a time through fostering scholars' STEM literacy development, STEM identities, and STEM sense of belonging. Dr. Jackson researches the development, use, and implementation of integrated STEM curriculum as well as understands the influence curricular materials and the related standards have on teachers' practices and the opportunities the curricular materials afford scholars to engage in STEM. Dr. Jackson served as a lead writer for Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations. She recently completed her term as President of the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) (2020-2022). Dr. Jackson is a professional developer and a mathematics and STEM consultant who has provided workshops to local, regional, national, and international communities. Dr. Kristin L. Cook, a former high school science teacher, is a Professor of Science Education in the School of Education at Bellarmine University. She received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Science Education and Environmental Sciences from Indiana University. Dr. Cook teaches courses in K-12 science methods and STEAM Education. In addition to teaching initial certification and advanced graduate classes, Dr. Cook serves as a professional developer and consultant for K-12 STEAM-focused school reform and project and problem-based learning development. Dr. Cook is actively involved in federal grants and research that focus on engaging learners and teachers with the community of science through the exploration of socio-scientific inquiry and transdisciplinary STEAM instruction. Dr. Cook co-wrote the Simplifying STEM: Four Equitable Practices to Inspire Meaningful Learning: PreK-5 and 6-12 books published by Corwin in early 2024. Dr. Sarah B. Bush, a former middle school mathematics teacher, is a Professor of K-12 STEM Education and the Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar Chair at the University of Central Florida. At the University of Central Florida, she is the Director of the Lockheed Martin/UCF Mathematics and Science Academy and is a program co-coordinator of the Mathematics Education PhD track. She teaches primarily graduate courses in mathematics education. She is a prolific writer who has authored 13 books and more than 100 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Bush recently completed a term (2019-2022) as a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board of Directors. She served as the lead writer and task force chair for NCTM's Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations. Dr. Bush was the recipient of the 2021 School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics and 2018 recipient of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Early Career Award. Dr. Bush seamlessly integrates her practical experience as a middle school mathematics teacher in public schools with her innovative scholarship to serve as an instructional leader in the field of mathematics education and STE(A)M education. Dr. Bush co-wrote the Simplifying STEM: Four Equitable Practices to Inspire Meaningful Learning: PreK-5 and 6-12 books published by Corwin in early 2024. Dr. Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, is a Professor of STEM Education and Senior Associate Dean in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky (UK). She received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction specializing in mathematics and science education from Texas A&M University. Since her arrival at UK in 2006, she has been involved in over $17 million in federal and state funding, helping to expand research and broaden participation in STEM Education. She is a coeditor of the first Handbook of Research on STEM Education and coeditor of STEM 2.0. Her research interests include the transdisciplinary nature of STEM education and how they can be applied to innovative preservice teacher education and K-12 school models. Further, she investigates ways to broaden participation in STEM, especially for underrepresented populations and the effects these mechanisms have on their STEM literacy. Through this work, she has gained perspective on how to create opportunity and access to STEM activities to populations who normally would not have the opportunity and has witnessed and studied the significant impacts these mechanisms have. She is President of School Science and Mathematics Association, the world's oldest STEM organization. Dr. Cathrine Maiorca, a former high school mathematics teacher, is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at Oklahoma State University, where she teaches courses in mathematics education and STEM education. She received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Mathematics Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Maiorca's research interests include model-eliciting activities, effective STEM teaching and learning practices for every student, integrated STEM education in formal and informal settings, preservice teachers, and students' dispositions toward integrated STEM. Dr. Maiorca was an AMTE STaR fellow in 2018 and the 2020 School Science and Mathematics (SSMA) Early Career Scholar Award recipient. She is also an Associate Editor for Technology and Engineering Education, a peer-reviewed practitioner journal for integrated STEM teachers published by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). Dr. Thomas Roberts, a former elementary school teacher, is an Associate Professor and co-program coordinator of the Inclusive PreK-5 Education Program at Bowling Green State University, where he teaches STEM education and mathematics education courses. He received his doctorate in Education Sciences specializing in STEM Education from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Roberts's research explores students' perceptions of STEM learning environments and ways to increase the effectiveness of teachers' instructional practices so that all students have the opportunity to participate in high-quality STEM learning. He is the Editor in Chief of Technology and Engineering Education, a peer-reviewed practitioner journal for integrated STEM teachers published by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).

Chapter 1: STEM Disciplines as Mutually Supportive Chapter 2: ISP 1: Use Critical and Creative thinking to Seek Solutions Chapter 3: ISP 2: Collaborate and use Appropriate Tools to Engage in Iterative Design Chapter 4: ISP 3 Communicate Solutions Based on Evidence and Data Chapter 5: ISP 4: Recognize and Use Structures in Real-world Systems Chapter 6: Reimagining Existing STEM Tasks Chapter 7: The Heart and the Spirit

Simplifying STEM, Grades 6-12: Four Equitable Practices to Inspire Meaningful Learning offers a practical understanding of four Integrated STEM Practices and provides educators with a framework for instruction. The inclusion of vignettes throughout the book makes it accessible for teachers to see the possibility of integration in their teaching. I appreciate the book's grade-level-appropriate connections. -- Robert Q. Berry III * Tucson, AZ * The authors provide practical ways of integrating science, math, and engineering processes in ways that not only engage all students, but also make the content accessible and engaging. If you want to know what you can do to uncover the brilliance of all your students while implementing equitable STEM instructional practices, this book is for you. -- Pamela Seda * Ellenwood, GA * Simplifying STEM seeks to decenter whiteness and disrupt the STEM status quo. Readers are provided practical examples and essential strategies that can be used in their respective environments to create inclusive STEM environments that give all scholars opportunities to be successful. -- Kristopher J. Childs * Winter Garden, FL * If you've been told that there either aren't enough or too many integrated STEM resources for practitioners, Simplifying STEM, Grades 6-12 offers real-world examples that are complex yet accessible to all audiences. With "try this" teacher and scholar actions, the authors take novices to experts on an intellectual journey in STEM spaces. They weave information that further explains STEM in today's context that makes the reader excited to imagine as well as try something creative. -- Andrea Borowczak * Orlando, FL * Simplifying STEM provides a practical, applicable roadmap for implementing integrated STEM practices in secondary classrooms and allows us to take meaningful steps toward disrupting the status quo. In our dynamic, diverse world, this book provides STEM teachers with tools and resources to engage ALL students in meaningful, high-quality STEM learning experiences. -- David Dai * Mobile, AL * Secondary STEM educators can lead the charge as we break down siloed education practices and better prepare students to thrive in an increasingly technological world. Highlighting the need for and value of equity in education, intentional collaboration across disciplines, and student agency, this publication outlines a promising path forward. My favorite features are the "reality checks," which challenge both the status quo and our own internal beliefs, and the actionable question prompts! -- Kelly Dooley * Reston, VA * This is a fresh approach to integrating STEM concepts into your classroom and for integrating various parts of STEM with each other, all with an eye toward social justice, critical thinking, and modern classrooms. -- Joseph Staub * Los Angeles, CA * With a solution-focused mindset, this book will help you implement STEM in a natural way to lead students in a learning model that they can carry forward in their education. -- Cindy Corlett * Granby, CO * This book is an amazing and accessible tool every secondary teacher needs! Task exemplars and the alignment between scholar and teacher practices are invaluable! -- Jessica Ivy * Munster, IN * This book scaffolds strategies that empower learning for all students through community-based problem solving through integrated STEM processes. -- Debra K. Las * Rochester, MN * This book does a fantastic job of expressing the importance of making STEM experiences accessible to all students. Unlike many other publications that I have read or professional development sessions I have been to, this book shows educators HOW to implement the integrated STEM practices into classrooms to engage all students in rich, real-world, and important STEM tasks, projects, and experiences. -- Katelyn LeRoy * Louisville, KY *